 Thank you for journeying with Peace Tree during these 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment! The Leadership Team of our congregation and I have recently been working at getting our arms around an important decision. As we've gone about this work, a phrase that was shared by my friends has remained at the forefront of my mind: “We don’t make good decisions in a hurry.” This one phrase has helped me to slow down, listen more intently, pray with more focus, and consider the next steps that we must take as a church family. And as we prepare for the final week of our 40 Days, I feel as though this time of reflection has truly brought about clarity regarding the next chapter in Peace Tree’s story. So this week, I’d like to point you toward some passages of Scripture which highlight the call of God given to various prophets and other believers. Read the passages and notice how each person responded faithfully. Several of these verses share the theme of leaving a familiar place in order to follow God into something brand new. How much courage would it take for you to respond in this way - leaving home for a place that God is preparing for you and for your loved ones? Does knowing how God is always with you make the decision to leave any easier? Perhaps you’ve already experienced this type of loss and transition in life: a job opportunity or promotion moves you and your family across the county or even from one continent to another; or an old family home is gifted to you which moves you out of an apartment or rental home and into a place of your own; or maybe you’ve witnessed a young person attend a mission trip and then feel the call to serve with that organization whether it be on staff, as a seasonal worker, or even as a missionary moving to the children’s home, camp, or country and working there full-time. God is always pursuing us with His grace, and I believe that God is calling Peace Tree and the numerous individuals and families who make up our faith community to follow Him into something new. How is God calling you right now? And if God is calling Peace Tree to follow Him someplace new, do we have the courage to follow? +Pastor Kris Roof September 14 - Eternal One: Abram, get up and go! Leave your country. Leave your relatives and your father’s home, and travel to the land I will show you. Don’t worry--I will guide you there. I have plans to make a great people from your descendants. And I am going to put a special blessing on you and cause your reputation to grow so that you will become a blessing and example to others. I will also bless those who bless you and further you in your journey, and I’ll trip up those who try to trip you along the way. Through your descendants, all of the families of the earth will find their blessing in you. Without any hesitation, Abram went. He did exactly as the Eternal One asked him to do. Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. -Genesis 12:1-3 (The Voice) Abraham was 75 years old when he and his wife, Sarah, left the only home he had ever known for a land that God would show him. Can you imagine leaving home at age 75 without knowing exactly where God was taking you? September 15 - “Go and get Israel’s elders together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me. The Lord said, “I’ve been paying close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. I’ve decided to take you away from the harassment in Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land full of milk and honey.”’ -Exodus 3:16-17 (Common English Bible) Part of Moses’s task in delivering the Israelites from the control of Egypt and its Pharaoh was to first gather the elders of his people and to convince them that God was calling them out of Egypt so that they might live in the Promised Land. Why did God require Moses to address the elders? Why is their “buy in” important for Moses and his work? September 16 - After the scholars were gone, God’s angel showed up again in Joseph’s dream and commanded, “Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this child, and wants to kill him.” Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother under cover of darkness. They were out of town and well on their way by daylight. They lived in Egypt until Herod’s death. This Egyptian exile fulfilled what Hosea had preached: “I called my son out of Egypt.” ---Matthew 2:13-15 (The Message) Most of us are familiar with the Nativity Story and the Birth of Jesus - the shepherds, the angels, the wise men and their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But let’s not forget that the visit of the magi triggered a warning for Joseph and his family to flee to Egypt. What thoughts or feelings would be racing through your mind if you were Mary or Joseph in this situation? Would you be able to leave in the middle of the night with only a moment’s notice? September 17 - Read 1 Samuel 3; then, listen to the hymn, “Here I am Lord” and reflect on its lyrics. Is God calling you into ministry or to some other new task or role? Are you prepared to reply with, “Here I am, Lord…Speak, for your servant is listening.” September 18 - “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you’re not welcomed, leave town. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on.” -Luke 9:3-5 (The Message) These are Jesus’ instructions to the twelve disciples as he sends them out in pairs to preach the Good News and heal the sick. How does “packing lightly” allow someone to travel quickly and nimbly? What would a congregation look like in today’s world if they sought to “keep it simple?” September 19 - Go out and make disciples in all the nations. Ceremonially wash them through baptism in the name of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then disciple them. Form them in the practices and postures that I have taught you, and show them how to follow the commands I have laid down for you. And I will be with you, day after day, to the end of the age. -Matthew 28:19-20 (The Voice) In the early days of church planting, I was reminded of this truth: churches don’t make disciples - churches plant other churches. It’s disciples who make new disciples. In your own life, are you currently discipling any to Christ - it could be your child, a friend, a co-worker, or even a young person whom you’re mentoring? If you’re not currently discipling someone, then ask yourself who God might be placing on your heart to contact this week? September 20 - It’s Sunday and the final day of this season of prayer and discernment. I pray that these prompts and passages have been meaningful for you this week. Today’s Scripture plays off of yesterday’s as we consider what it means to go out and to reach people of all nations. Read this passage from Acts and consider the different circles that might begin with your home or with your church family; as you move outward and draw bigger and bigger circles, who would you begin to reach? Who are the people you would encounter, and how many new places would you touch in missions, outreach, and evangelism? Here’s the knowledge you need: you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you. And you will be My witnesses, first here in Jerusalem, then beyond to Judea and Samaria, and finally to the farthest places on earth. (Acts 1:8 The Voice)  Our final Coffee with Kris & Harry will be held at the Starbucks on S. Houston Levee on September 15. Feel free to drop by between 10:00am and 12:00 Noon for conversation & prayer.On the seventh day—with the canvas of the cosmos completed—God paused from His labor and rested. Thus God blessed day seven and made it special—an open time for pause and restoration, a sacred zone of Sabbath-keeping, because God rested from all the work He had done in creation that day. Genesis 2:2-3 (The Voice)  Happy Labor Day! The holiday which we celebrate today has historically been one of recognition for the American worker and their contributions to the strength and prosperity of the world’s biggest economy. Labor unions, guilds, and families would gather for parades and recreational activities as communities celebrated the spirit of the American worker. What began as a holiday birthed during the gilded age has transformed into a three-day holiday for Americans to enjoy. It’s an opportunity to get one last summer vacation in, for old-school fashionistas to put away white pieces of clothing until next year, and for friends and families to gather around the grill for one last cookout or barbecue. This celebration of work and its simultaneous practice of rest on the first Monday in September got me thinking about the spiritual exercise of Sabbath-keeping. For many Christians, the Sabbath Day is Sunday - a day that we pause from working, when we gather together with other believers to worship God, and a time for us to recharge and refocus our attention on spiritual matters before resuming our labors the next day. During one of our recent Wednesday night pick up basketball games, I spoke with a young man about Sabbath and asked him this question: Do you rest from your work, or do you begin your work-week from a place of rest? This is a question that Matthew Sleeth poses in his book, “24/6.” Are we just working for the weekend? Or are we treating the Sabbath as an opportunity to connect more strongly with God, to meet face-to-face with our sisters & brothers in Christ, and to prepare our hearts and minds for a week of labor looking for God-moments throughout the next six days? In “24/6,” we’re reminded of the Creation story as told in Genesis 1 — the world was created including every living, breathing creature. Humankind is created at the very end of this process, and the very next day is the Sabbath. The first thing that women & men were instructed to do after their creation according to Genesis 1 was to rest. They weren’t put to work right away, nor were they expected to labor — that would come later. According to Sleeth, God intended for humankind to begin their work from a place of rest which is why the Sabbath Day is the first full day that women & men experienced on earth. So, on this Labor Day, as we gather with friends and families around the grill, enjoy one last summer trip, or simply lounge around the house enjoying a federal holiday at home, consider how you will observe the Sabbath this week and ask yourself what it looks like for a congregation to collectively keep the Sabbath together. +Pastor Kris Roof September 7 - Do you treat the weekend and Sabbath as a chance to rest from your work, or do you view it as an opportunity to begin the work week from a place of rest? What are you resting from today? How can you reframe your Sabbath as a way of re-centering and recharging your soul before taking on a new week? September 8 - Sabbath time causes us to reflect on our lives and possessions. Are there items that you’re holding on to which is making life more difficult or causing a distraction in your daily living? Are there items or activities that you need to prune from your life in order to create a simpler, more intentional environment for you to experience? September 9 - What would it look like for a congregation to experience Sabbath beyond our Sunday morning worship gathering? Are there activities or items in our possession which we should prune? Are there times when it’s more appropriate to “do less” as opposed to doing more? September 10 - Take some time to read this familiar passage of Scripture from Psalm 46:10a. At the end of each line, spend some time in prayer listening for God’s voice… Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am… Be still and know… Be still… Be… September 11 - Many families who observe the Sabbath will prepare meals before the Sabbath, tidy up the house and take care of chores ahead of time. If you had a full 24-hour day when you didn’t have to cook or clean (and you didn’t cause someone else to cook, clean, or perform some other task for you), how would you spend your day? Would you read, go for a walk, play a board game, watch a movie, call up family members or friends you haven’t spoken with in some time? September 12 - As Peace Tree considers the direction that God is calling our congregation, how might we experience rest and find comfort in God? Is there any work or tasks that we should accomplish now so that we aren’t distracted later when we’re listening for God’s voice? September 13 - Today is another Sabbath day! Will you put aside your work and tasks today in order to spend time in fellowship with God, family, and your neighbors? How will you delight in the gift that is TODAY? This week's Coffee with Kris & Harry will be held at Donut Hutt. Feel free to drop by between 10:00am and 12:00 Noon for conversation & prayer. Last week, our Director of Youth Ministries (Engagement), Kayla Cave, shared a devotional based on Acts 2:42-47. As soon as I began reading that first verse - Acts 2:42 - I was immediately transported back eleven years to when we first began our work of planting a new church in the Collierville area. Acts 2:42 served as the focus verse for our launch team as we began planting a network of house churches in our town – meeting for dinner, study, and Communion in people's homes, witnessing the fruit that God was bringing to harvest, guiding those first faithful followers from Peace Tree to plant new seeds by starting house groups in new neighborhoods in order to reach new people for Jesus. But it had been some time since I had read past the 42nd verse to see what it has to say about the Christian community, about the ways in which we can use our resources or sell our possessions in order to serve others, and the way in which those Early Christians lived in harmony together by holding everything in common. I was reminded that the Early Church wasn't interested in amassing more "stuff" or building a 5,000 seat sanctuary; they were more interested in reaching more people with the love of Christ in smaller more personal ways. They met for worship in public places and experienced CHURCH by sharing meals with one another in their homes. This experience of authentic Christian community is what allowed the Church to grow - it wasn't a slick marketing campaign, a grand prize giveaway, or a glossy postcard listing the times that their group gathered for praise & worship that won the hearts and minds of the people. Real relationships are what drew newcomers to connect with the Early Christians, and perhaps there is a lesson in this type of authentic community for us today. So, I invite you to read Kayla's original devotional below. Afterwards, you'll see several prayer prompts for the upcoming week. Thank you for journeying with us during this important time in the life of our congregation. God bless you! +Pastor Kris Roof “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” - Acts 2:42-47 (New International Version) This month’s theme for the Roots is cultivation (lol, get it?). We’ve talked about cultivating our faith and our culture, and with our church-wide meal happing tonight (that I’ve been affectionately calling family dinner), I want to talk about cultivating our community. Community is an integral part of who we are as humans and believers. Without a support system, it’s hard to survive. I know I wouldn’t be able to survive without mine. I am a very careful community cultivator. I don’t let just anyone into my close circle. It may sound cynical at face value, but I do firmly believe that God will send people my way that I can trust to be my closest advisors and accountability peers. That is also not to say that I am not a willing and eager participant in my bigger community. In fact, I have a fierce pride in being a member of my community. I find that there is beauty and importance in both. It is crucial for us to cultivate both the tree and the flower. We cannot flourish fully without them. God will give you people in your life, some for a few seasons and some for good. Take those relationships with love and grow in God. Kayla Cave Director of Youth Ministries - Engagement August 31 - Acts 2:42 includes four main components for the Christian gathering: study of Scripture, fellowship with neighbors, sharing a meal/Communion, and prayer. If a congregation only did these four things (i.e. they had no music, no children's moment, no offering moment, no formal sermon from a priest or pastor BUT they learned together, ate a meal, laughed and prayed with each other), would you consider their gathering to be a "church service" or a "worship service" - why or why not? September 1 - Today is 901 Day in the Mid-South! What are some ways you can cultivate community? Who is the last neighbor you shared a conversation with on the front porch? Which of your neighbors could benefit from a greater sense of community today? September 2 - The Early Christians devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles. What is your favorite verse of Scripture? What is your favorite book of the Bible? What does devotion to the apostles' teachings look like in our modern times, and are you living that out? September 3 - Another way to conceive of the Early Christians' "fellowship" is to think about "life together." Who are the people in your life who you would consider as part of your "fellowship" or your circle of friends? How often do you pray for them and for their families? September 4 - The "breaking of bread" or the common meal was foundational for this Early Christian community in Acts. How do you prefer to break bread with your friends or fellow believers: at a restaurant, in a church fellowship hall, in your home, on the patio in your backyard, or from some other location like a coffeehouse, in the bleachers during a football game or band competition, or from inside your car at a drive-in? Does the location of the meal affect the type of fellowship you get to share with others? September 5 - Prayer is the final core value for these Early Christians who have experienced Pentecost and are baptizing new believers in Jerusalem. How often do you pray to God? Do you only pray when you need something from God? Do you pray when you're celebrating a major milestone or blessing in your life? Are you in need of prayer today and you'd like to share a prayer request with us? September 6 - During these 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment, have you begun to re-think what Church can look like or feel like? What would you consider are the foundational elements for any congregation to have if they are to be the Church? This week's Coffee with Kris & Harry will be held at Cafe 127. Feel free to drop by between 10:00am and 12:00 Noon for conversation & prayer. Yesterday, as we gathered for Sunday worship via an “online only” experience due to the widespread power outages which have affected our church building, I had flashbacks to the days we worshiped online during the COVID pandemic. I was reminded of the one-on-one meetings I had with families in their driveways, the Peace Tree Kids drive through event in our parking lot, Carols & Candlelight in our parking lot with a radio transmitter so that families could safely listen and sing along from their cars, and our 2021 outdoor Easter morning service held on the east lawn of our church property. Our vision statement as a congregation is “Church Can Happen Anywhere,” and in all of these instances (including online-only worship from this past weekend) CHURCH truly took place in locations that many would consider non-traditional. From March 2020 through December 2021, we didn’t gather together for worship in a sanctuary, but rather we came together in spirit, we used the resources available to us, and we adapted to whatever the current situation was for our faith community at that time. And these alternative worship methods and “church plant scrappiness” was true for Peace Tree when we originally launched in 2015 - hosting events in parks, meeting for Bible studies in living rooms, and worshiping on Sundays inside a movie theater. As we’ve journeyed through the Book of Hebrews this month, there have been several moments when the Tabernacle has popped up in our passages. Many of us know that the Tabernacle was the tent in which Moses and the Israelites worshiped God during their exodus, and it’s where they kept their holy items safe during their 40 years in the wilderness. It served as their mobile temple in the desert and it moved with them as they made their way to the Promised Land, but this wasn’t the first time that God had met God’s people in the wild. God walked with Adam & Eve in a garden, formed the covenant with Abraham outdoors under the stars, protected Noah’s family on a boat during the Flood, wrestled with Jacob near a river, and called Moses to service from inside a cave. The ways in which we, as Peace Tree, have gathered for worship, for missions, for Bible study and children’s events and board meetings all changed in 2019 when moved into the building at 9315 E Shelby Dr and merged congregations with our sisters & brothers from CrossRoads UMC. Owning a building has opened us up to new ministries and outreach opportunities (e.g. pickleball, Dayshore, hosting non-profits in our space), and it’s also added responsibilities for our Administrative Board and congregation in terms of maintenance, insurance, utilities, and debt. This week, I’m asking our faith community to consider the vision of “Church Can Happen Anywhere.” How are we living into the statement? Do we still have some of that “church plant scrappiness” in our congregation’s DNA? How does our current building on E Shelby Drive support our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ? I am praying with you and with our friends during these 40 Days for direction and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Please return to this page over the next week to use the prayer prompts written below in your daily meditation and contemplation. Thank you, and God bless! +Pastor Kris Roof August 24 - Consider time that you've spent by the water - a river, a lake, the ocean, or even a swimming pool. Now, consider all the references to water that we see in Scripture - the parting of the Red Sea, the baptism of Jesus at the Jordan River, or the River of Life that flows through the City of God in Revelation. How does praising God in an environment with water impact our worship experiences? August 25 - Read this passage from Psalm 139 and contemplate our church's vision statement: Church Can Happen Anywhere 7 Can I go anywhere apart from Your Spirit? Is there anywhere I can go to escape Your watchful presence? 8 If I go up into heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in the realm of the dead, You are there. 9 If I ride on the wings of morning, if I make my home in the most isolated part of the ocean, 10 Even then You will be there to guide me; Your right hand will embrace me, for You are always there. August 26 - Spend time reading about the Tabernacle in Exodus Have you ever had a "makeshift" worship experience before? What needed to happen in order for you to worship God in that space? How did you utilize the resources at your disposal? Click here for Exodus 25 - 31 August 27 - In Joshua 4, God instructs Joshua to find twelve individuals - one from each tribe - and have them each bring a stone from the Jordan River to build a memorial on the banks of the river. This would signal to all future generations the place where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River while the waters were held back and the riverbed was dry. Have you ever marked a place as holy, maybe with a cross, a flag, or something colorful like a stuffed animal or a poster drawn in memory of a loved one? How long did you stay in that one spot before you moved on? How long did Joshua and the Israelites remain at Gilgal before they eventually moved on? August 28 - Matthew 27:50-52a states: And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. Why is it significant that the curtain inside the Holy of the Holies was torn in two? Can God be contained by any one building? August 29 - As stated above, our church's Vision statement is: Church Can Happen Anywhere. Are there any places or locales where you feel like Church could NOT happen? Is there any place on planet earth where God’s spirit cannot be found? August 30 - Peace Tree took over ownership of the property at 9315 E Shelby Dr in 2019 when we merged congregations with CrossRoads UMC. If the building disappeared tomorrow, would Peace Tree still be a church? What does it mean to be a church without a building? If a congregation didn’t own a piece of property in which to worship or host meals, how else could they gather for learning, missions, and outreach? This week's Coffee with Kris & Harry will be held at Levee Coffee & Creamery. Feel free to drop by between 10:00am and 12:00 Noon for conversation & prayer.“He joins and holds together the whole body with its ligaments providing the support needed so each part works to its proper design to form a healthy, growing, and mature body that builds itself up in love.” -Ephesians 4:16 (The Voice)  Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the very first clergy meeting for the newly formed Southwestern District of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church. It was an uplifting two hours of fellowship, worship, and learning spent at First UMC of Jackson, TN with fellow colleagues who serve other congregations in local church ministry throughout the Volunteer State. Our new District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Jathnaiel Cavitt, shared a message with us which was based on Ephesians 4:1-16, and he used the imagery of a tapestry being woven together to help connect our thoughts to the scripture. We were reminded that before the act of weaving can begin, tension between the strands must first exist. I know that during this time, we may feel tense or anxious about the next steps we will take as a church family. But I trust that God will work in the midst of that tension, that God will weave together a new thing amongst us, and that God will bind us together in love - that we might consider ourselves interwoven by grace. And I pray that we may open our hearts and minds to discover this type of interwoven grace beyond the walls of our church building - to count ourselves as one strand in the great tapestry of our District, our Conference, our Denomination, and yes - the Kingdom of God here on this planet. Dr. Cavitt shared something at the very beginning of his message that has stuck with me: “The strength of the Church is not merely within us, it’s also between us.” We know from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that the power of the Holy Spirit flows through us, but we have also seen how the Spirit brings different congregations together to address common goals, to supply scholarships for deserving students, to provide disaster relief for communities in need, and to speak out against injustices and evil which exist in our world. It may be cliché to state that we are “stronger together” - various political campaigns and corporate advertisements have used this language as well. But with the power of the Holy Spirit flowing through us, and the grace of God weaving us together, we truly are stronger, better, and more faithful when we work together and worship Jesus as the one who transforms our independent strands by weaving us into a beautiful tapestry. As we journey through these 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment, I ask that you consider the spiritual gifts and talents found within our faith community. How is God using us to build up the Kingdom of Heaven? After you've given that some thought, look around our city to other places of worship and ask how God not only works within us but also between us. +Pastor Kris Roof August 17 - Ephesians 4:11-12 states: So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up... Which of these roles do you most closely identify with - Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, or Teacher? August 18 - Before the act of weaving can begin, tension between the strands must first exist... What tension or anxiety are you currently feeling? How might God work to create something beautiful in the midst of that tension? August 19 - Consider all the gifts and skills found within our faith community - what does it mean for each part to work to its proper design? What can we achieve together when each member of our body fully utilizes their God-given talents? August 20 - How is God at work between the churches in our town? What opportunities exist for us to partner with other congregations towards a shared goal or ministry? August 21 - As a United Methodist congregation, we belong to a larger connection and network of local churches throughout our denomination. How have you or your family been impacted by that connection of shared resources and ministry? August 22 - What does the phrase "Stronger Together" mean to you? Have you seen this idea lived out - if so, what role did you play in the effort? How can we be more faithful together? August 23 - What do you imagine is God's desire for Peace Tree? How can we live into God's preferred future for our congregation? This week's Coffee with Kris & Harry will be held at Carrington Oaks Coffeehouse. Feel free to drop by between 10:00am and 12:00 Noon for conversation & prayer. This past Sunday, I joined several leaders from our congregation's Leadership Team to host a State of the Church information meeting. During the meeting, we updated church members about recent successes in ministry, vital partnerships with fellow non-profit organizations which we've formed in the last couple of years, and shared how the reach & impact of our congregation extends beyond the walls of our church building. We also received a clear and honest report from our treasurer regarding our church's finances, operating budget, and a potential forecast as we look ahead to the remainder of 2026. If you're a member of our congregation but you missed attending this in-person session and you would like to view this video, please request a link by emailing me at [email protected]. Near the end of the gathering, I shared my hope for our faith community to enter into a season of prayerful consideration, conversation, and thought. Starting today, August 12 and lasting through Sunday, September 20, we will engage in 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment. I encourage you to return to this blog every Monday between now and September 20 for devotionals and prompts guiding you in meditation and prayer over different areas of ministry found within our church family. I trust that the Holy Spirit will speak to us through this exercise to help bring into focus which programs, physical assets, and strategic partnerships are important and necessary to our core mission to "Love God by Loving Others." I also want to make myself available for phone conversations, video chats, and one-to-one meetings. Every Monday, I will be in the church office from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Feel free to drop in unannounced or call ahead if you'd like to see me or any of our staff. Dr. Durbin and I will also be available at several coffee shops throughout Collierville on Tuesday mornings from 10:00am until 12:00 Noon. We welcome any questions, comments, or reflections about our current situation as a church body, and we'd love to hear your ideas for innovation and fresh expressions of faith. You can RSVP to these in-person coffee meet-ups on our Facebook page, or simply swing by for a cup of joe and conversation. Our schedule during these 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment is as follows: Aug. 18 at Carrington Oaks Coffeehouse Aug. 25 at Levee Coffee & Creamery Sep. 1 at Café 127 Sep. 8 at Donut Hutt Sep. 15 at Starbucks (S. Houston Levee) We want to dream up and imagine possibilities that push beyond what might be considered standard procedure or some sort of protocol copied from a business playbook. Instead, we want to live into God's preferred future for our congregation. As we consider the level of giving & tithes each family can commit to placing in the offering plate this year as well as the various uses of our church building and vital partnerships we can create with other congregations, non-profit organizations, and outside groups who desire to utilize our space, I pray that God will provide focus and clarity for our next steps as a church family. So, today I invite you to read the passage of Scripture printed below and consider the ways in which our young people are leading us as a congregation. What gifts and talents do they possess? How are they not simply the "Church of Tomorrow," but rather the "Church of Today?" After reading this passage, scroll down to read prompts for the different days of this week. And if you haven't already, watch the faith witnesses shared by our children & youth from our July 26 worship service linked below. Thank you for your support! I look forward to joining you in person and in spirit during these next 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment. May God bless you and the people of Peace Tree! +Pastor Kris Roof And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (The Message) August 12 - Psalm 8:2 comments on how the praise of God by infants & children who gurgle choruses and shout songs are able to drown out the talk of enemies. How have you witnessed infants, toddlers, and young children praising God with their songs, shouts, and cries this past month? August 13 - How important is it for tweens and teens to experience short term mission trips like Mountain T.O.P. or Rio Bravo? What is different about traveling to another place to engage in mission work versus volunteering here at home? August 14 - Is God calling you to get Safe Sanctuary trained and background checked so that you may begin volunteering in the Nursery, with Peace Tree Kids, or with the Roots youth group? August 15 - How have the young people of our faith community helped teach you about faith and trust in God? What example have they set with their words, demeanor, love, faith, and integrity? August 16 - Is God calling you to provide a meal for one of the Wednesday night youth meet-ups this semester? If you do feel led to provide a meal for these students to enjoy, will you also consider sticking around to break bread in the fellowship hall and spend time with our teens, adult volunteers, and church staff?  Friends in Christ,
Our country is more divided than ever. For several years now, I have spoken with you and my previous conferences about these deep divisions and the painful ways they affect our communities, our churches, and even our families. In recent days, these divisions have again been laid bare. It is our understanding that the National Guard will soon be deployed into Memphis, Tennessee. In our conference, as across our nation, faithful people hold differing views about this development. For many, this raises concerns about escalation, fear, and mistrust between communities and those called to protect them. We must acknowledge that such moments can deepen existing divides and stir strong emotions, even among those who worship side by side. This past week, we witnessed the tragic shooting of a well-known political activist while in conversation with college students. And once again, our nation mourns yet another school shooting - this time in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado. These events grieve us deeply. They also have the power to widen the distance between us if we are not careful. As United Methodists, we have historically stood against injustice in all its forms. Our faith compels us to speak truth, to pursue mercy, and to act with courage. Yet just as importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to be peacemakers. In a world of anger and suspicion, we are to be instruments of peace. I implore you, therefore, to live into this calling. Reach across the lines that too often divide us - political, racial, geographic, or even denominational. Sit down with someone who does not look like you, vote like you, or pray like you. Listen with compassion. Extend grace. Refuse to let the story of our nation be written only in terms of hatred and violence. Our laity and clergy are called to be spiritual leaders in their communities, modeling the way of Christ through prayer, presence, and action. It is a conference discipleship priority and therefore of utmost importance. How might you take responsibility for changing the narrative of this country? How might you bear witness to the reconciling love of Christ in a broken and weary world? The apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” This is both a challenge and a promise. It is a challenge because peace requires effort, sacrifice, and humility. But it is also a promise, because when we take even small steps toward peace, God multiplies them for the sake of the Kingdom. May God grant us the courage to stand for justice, the patience to listen across divides, and the wisdom to be instruments of peace. And may the peace of Christ, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in these days. Memphis Mayor Paul Young stated in his September 12 News Conference for everyone to come together regardless of our differences. He encouraged the Memphis community to be laser-focused on continuing the good work that has been done over the last two years in moving Memphis to becoming a great city. May we United Methodists become laser-focused by loving God, loving people, and seeking to be a peacemaker. Use your voice, your influence, and your presence as God leads you. With hope and prayer, Bishop David Graves Resident Bishop Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference  Even now, turn back your heart and rededicate yourselves to Me;
Show Me your repentance by fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rip the wickedness out of your hearts; don’t just tear your clothing. Joel 2:12-13a (The Voice) Below is a template for our church-wide fast which was inspired by Jen Hatmaker's book, "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess." As we prepare our hearts and minds for another year in ministry, let us undergo a fast together. Before we commit to serving on a church committee or we sign up to volunteer with the youth or children's ministries, let's consider how God is moving in our lives and where it is the Spirit is calling us to go. What better way to create space in our lives than with a fast! You'll see seven different areas of focus and the challenge is to practice each fast for THREE days (and you can do anything for three days, right?). Once a fast is complete, you're free to return to your normal habits as you move on to the next 3-Day Fast. One last thing: before you begin this challenge, recruit a friend to be your accountability partner - maybe invite them to participate in the 3/7 Fast with you! And if you need some encouragement along the way (or you want to see how I'm handling the latest focus area), you can always email me at [email protected]. +Peace and Love from Pastor Kris The 3-7 Fast (September 16 - October 6, 2024) Sept. 16, 17, 18 - Food Limit your meals to only 7 whole foods. If you're spending less time preparing meals, creating grocery lists, or ordering out at a restaurant, then you can spend more time with God and God's people. When you get hungry or tired of eating the same thing over and over again, say a prayer for people around the world who hunger. Here are Jen's 7 foods to give you a sample menu for the next 3 days:
Sept. 19, 20, 21 - Clothes How much time do we spend getting dressed in the morning, figuring out which shoes to wear, which accessories match our outfits, what other people will say about our ensemble? What if we didn’t worry about that - what if the choices were streamlined and limited so that we could spend more time with our families and more time getting to the places and events we get dressed up for? Here are Jen's 7 items of clothing to give you a sample wardrobe for the next 3 days:
Sept. 22, 23, 24 - Possessions Give away seven things every day (ideally to someone directly, not through a third party like Goodwill or Salvation Army) Go onto a Pass It On group online and search for posts of people LOOKING for something, and see if you can fill that need. Consider giving to non-profit organizations that our church supports: books to Project Transformation, food to the Capleville Community Food Pantry, clothing and preschool & school supplies to the United Methodist Neighborhood Centers. Sept. 25, 26, 27 - Media How many distractions do we put in front of our faces each and every day? How many digital screens attack our eyes with blue light every hour of the day? What if we cut out all of the noise, got back to face-to-face conversations, phone calls instead of text messages, playing games in the backyard with children, or sharing a meal around the table with our loved ones. Can you unplug from these seven forms of media over the next three days?
Sept. 28, 29, 30 - Waste The following are seven habits for living a greener life. Have we considered the impact our lives have on this earth? What is your carbon footprint? How much money do we spend to heat or cool our homes. When something is broken, do we repair it or do we replace it? How many of these habits can you carry out over the next three days?
Oct. 1, 2, 3 - Spending It matters where we spend our money. How much do you know about the companies that you patronize? What types of wages do they pay their workers? Have they contributed to any candidates in the latest election? Take some time to research the companies that benefit from your hard-earned money and choose only seven places to shop over the next three days. Below are the places where Jen chose to spend her money.
Oct. 4, 5, 6 - Stress How often do we stop to pray? When we wake up and go to sleep? When we drop our children off at school? Do we pray before a big meeting or presentation at work? Is it common for an entire day to go by before we realize we've been moving non-stop? This final 3-Day Fast assigns us seven specific times throughout the day to pause and pray. How can prayer reduce the amount of stress we experience in our lives?
 We're well into the thick of it. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and then before we know it is time to hunt Easter eggs and consider meal options for Resurrection Sunday.
Yet we have this lingering sense in our soul that to dig deeper might be good for us and that our look at the cross might change us in a profound way. Our study guide during these sacred days has been Witness at the Cross by Amy-Jill Levine, and it invites us to consider all those who gathered around the cross. My invitation for all of us is to find our place with them and to see how truth and grace offered by Jesus is being lived out in our journeys. These times in which we live have heightened our fears and left us anxious and sad or even mad. As we stand at the cross here is the verse to remember and let sink into your soul: “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1) Because we are baptized, we are called to live differently. Our vocation is to not let fear defeat or dominate us. Every person then and now who is a witness to the cross is deeply loved by the Savior who hangs on it. Walter Bruggeman, the insightful Old Testament scholar, offers the truth that those who change the world will not be the frightened but the ones empowered by a confidence that is relentless in its trust in God. In his book, Devotions for Lent, he is suggestive of how we better the world when we live unafraid. “The UNAFRAID are open to the neighbor, while the frightened are defending themselves from the neighbor. The UNAFRAID are generous in the community, while the frightened, in their anxiety, must keep and store and accumulate, to make themselves feel safe. The UNAFRAID commit acts of compassion and mercy, while the frightened do not notice those in need. The UNAFRAID are committed to justice for the weak and the poor, while the frightened see them only as threats. The UNAFRAID pray in the morning, care through the day, and rejoice at night in thanks and praise, while the frightened are endlessly restless and dissatisfied.” There you have it. I encourage you to dig deep. Give your fears to God. He knows us by name! That is an amazing gift. God’s love will not let us go and never abandon us. Our scary world calls us to trust in God’s unfailing love and to know that we are not alone. +Dr. Harry Durbin, Minister of Discipleship The following announcement was delivered by Pastor Kris during our Large Group worship celebration on Sunday, December 19, 2021 - the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Scroll down to see a video clip featuring his announcement. I have some very exciting news to share with you this morning. On January 1st, the Rev. Dr. Harry Durbin will officially join the Peace Tree staff as our Minister of Discipleship. Many of you know who Dr. Durbin is and you may recall that he preached at our recent World Communion Sunday service while I was on paternity leave. Before retiring from full-time ordained ministry in 2016, Dr. Durbin had been nominated twice as the Memphis Conference’s nominee for the office of Bishop. He holds a B.S. from Union University, a Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary, a Master of Education from the University of Memphis, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Columbia Theological Seminary. He has served churches in Memphis, Millington, Jackson, Cordova, and for 13 years he was the the senior pastor at Collierville UMC, and I was fortunate enough to serve there on the pastoral staff under Harry from 2009 until 2011 when he became the Senior Vice President for the Faith & Health division of Methodist Healthcare. For the last four years, Dr. Durbin has been at Covenant UMC where he’s served on staff in a part-time pastoral role, similar to what he will be doing at Peace Tree. You’ll see Harry and his wife Connie on Sunday mornings, he’ll have an office in the building, will assist with congregational care, and he’ll also be leading a Pastor’s Bible study on Thursday mornings starting January 13. We’ll be sharing more about our plans for those Bible studies, and you’ll be seeing a lot more of Harry in the New Year. But for now, we give thanks for this new addition to the Peace Tree family and I count it as a blessing to once again serve alongside Dr. Durbin, someone I consider as both a mentor and a friend. |
Peace Tree
Follow the journey of a new church as we answer the call to reach people in Collierville, Memphis, and the Mid-South. Archives
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Sun | Adult Sunday School Sun | Peace Tree Kids Sun | Music Fellowship Sun | United Women in Faith Sun | ZUMBA with Kris Mon | Open Play Pickleball Mon | Mellow Mushroom G'town Tue | Leadership Meeting Tue | Book Club Wed | BRO (Brothers Reaching Out) Wed | SIS (Sisters In Service) Wed | Roots Youth Group Wed | Open Play Pickleball Wed | Young Adult Basketball Thu | Pastor's Bible Study |
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Sundays at 10:00 AM (doors open at 9:30 AM) Peace Tree at Shelby Drive 9315 E Shelby Dr Collierville, TN 38017 Office Hours Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
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